China plans to establish first joint military command system

The Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China is planning to establish a joint operational command for a more coordinated and combat-capable force to efficiently respond to a crisis.

China Daily cited the ministry as saying that the joint operational command system establishment is a basic requirement in an era of information, and that the county has therefore initiated positive pilot programmes in this regard.

The new joint operational command will be set up in due course, the state media reported, amidst rising PLA’s disputes over territorial claims in the region, according to Press Trust of India.

The move follows the Japanese media reports that China is planning to restructure its seven military regions into five. A joint operations command controlling the army, navy and air force, as well as a strategic missile unit will be created by each of the new military regions, the report said.

"The system, which has been popular in the West for decades, is not (aimed at) starting a war, but to kill it in the cradle."

National Defence University of the People’s Liberation Army professor, Ouyang Wei, said that a joint command system would help the military respond quickly to a contingency.

"The system, which has been popular in the West for decades, is not (aimed at) starting a war, but to kill it in the cradle," Wei said.The restructuring plan aims to "improve the combined combat command systems, push forward reform of training and logistics for joint combat operations."

The deputy secretary-general of the council for national security policy studies, Li Qinggong, said the country will enhance its naval capability by procuring more aircraft carriers and fleets, as its top priority.